Plum board lowers crop estimate

Aug 17, 2002

The California Plum Marketing Board has voted to lower its official crop estimate from 16.4 million to 15.2 million 28-pound packages.

The vote came after a recommendation from the tree fruit industry's estimating committees, which met earlier to discuss possible changes in the crop estimates for fresh peaches, plums and nectarines. During those meetings, it was determined the plum crop would be down by about 7 percent from the original estimate set in May.

According to industry figures, plum varieties harvested earlier in the season were about 12 percent below estimate. More recent varieties are likely to be down slightly. In looking at all information, it was decided the total plum crop would be down about 7 percent at season end.